In Lincoln Park you've 2 decent/good options nearby. Lincoln Park Athletic Club and Lakeview Athletic Club (they're sister gyms so you might be able to get a cross-gym membership. They basically have the same people that go to them, for the most part, and the community there is pretty nice (everyone i've met is friendly).

LVAC has a little bouldering and has a decent wall with aretes and dihedrals. terrain is ~50' and mostly vertical. LPAC has a 50'-70' (depending on which portion) tall EP wall with vert and overhangs. as this wall is outdoors its being open is seasonal and affected by weather. there's also a treadwall in there.

Both gyms allow leading (on designated nights) and have classes to learn.

If you're looking for an occasional change of pace there's the bouldering gym Hidden Peak. very friendly and encouraging group there.

All 3 of the options I mentioned are easily accessible by public transit + a little walking (< .5mi).

Designated nights for leading? I've never heard of that before. What's the story?

The space at those gyms isn't huge, so they designate a night to pull a rope or two for leading...basically, so you don't try going there on a weekend when there are a bunch of noobs around, or people complaining because they can't climb a specific rope they wanted. More of a safety precaution than anything.

Don't go to those goddamn healthclub walls they suck ass! The routes never change, the holds spin and get slimed up by fatty dabblers who have no idea what they're doing. If you want to climb in a real gym, and actually have fun and get seriously stronger, come meet me tonight ant the Hidden Peak. It's just a bouldering gym, but you won't be sorry. http://www.lakeshoreacademy.com/hiddenPeak/

Sickkkk.. I am going to be in Chicago from Aug. 11 - 13 and will stop by during those hours as I will have some free time. I am just getting back into climbing from a year hiatus due to a ski injury and am dying to get back. Do the problems range? or is it just like V5+ and up (seeing as its a training grounds for gymnasts too)

Hey Eric I'll be passing through Chicago that exact same time. I am in Madison right now but will be in chicago monday (11th) afternoon but leave teusday for home(SLC). I would definitly be more psyched to climb if I had a partner, so if you shoot me an email on when you'll try to be there I'll look you up. Otherwise I'll leave my climbing gear in Madison. Kyle --- ktietze@gmail.com

There is a good range of stuff up ranging from v0-- to vImposable. There's so much damn tape on those walls, you'll have no shortage of problems. Most problems don't have the grades written on them so you'll just have to figure it out. The really hard stuff is usually graded or says "project" or something to that effect.

Designated nights for leading? I've never heard of that before. What's the story?

Those walls are in health clubs so 99% of the people who climb there are curious, clueless yuppies, so it wouldn't do to have people bombing whippers all over the place while chubby chicks shook and stammered up 5.7- Someone could get hurt!

Designated nights for leading? I've never heard of that before. What's the story?

Those walls are in health clubs so 99% of the people who climb there are curious, clueless yuppies, so it wouldn't do to have people bombing whippers all over the place while chubby chicks shook and stammered up 5.7- Someone could get hurt!

I was waiting for someone who still lives in Chicago to respond, but it hasn't happened yet, so I'll chime in. LPAC and LSAC are not bad for health club gyms and they could fill your needs for training. Back when I lived in Chicago both of those gyms also had pretty good climbing communities (and EAC as well) and I met a lot of folks to go down to SoIll or the Red on weekends. LPAC had summer only memberships as well, which was nice since that is the only time the wall is open. (I can't remember if that was a student only thing though). I would at least consider them

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. A lot really depends on what part of town you are living in and what you are looking for in a gym. I have no idea about prices anymore but at the time LPAC et al were not overly expensive either, at least compared to similar clubs in DC.

Went to the Hidden Peaks bouldering gym, i only went to the front counter, is the gym really as small as it appears at first glance? I wonder how crowded this place gets cuz it seems like only 2 people would be able to climb at the same time.....